For Uterine Fibroids, Herbal Prescriptions May Reduce Symptoms

Controversial Chinese herbal medications containing Ejiao or Velvet antler improve uterine fibroids symptoms and outcomes, according to the results of a recent analysis.

The research group from China searched 4 online Chinese databases up to July 2021 for all randomized controlled trials including prescriptions containing Ejiao or Velvet antler compared with placebo, pharmaceutical intervention, surgery, or other traditional Chinese medicines for uterine fibroids (N = 9; 844 patients).

Findings showed that Ejiao or Velvet antler alone or in combination with other medication significantly improved uterine fibroid outcomes among nonmenopausal women. Among the findings were:

• Ejiao or Velvet antler plus mifepristone reduced the volume of uterine fibroids to a greater degree than mifepristone alone.
• Ejiao or Velvet antler did not enlarge the volume of fibroids, whereas menopausal hormone therapy significantly increased the volume.
• Ejiao or Velvet antler plus mifepristone showed larger differences in uterine volume change difference than mifepristone alone.
• Ejiao or Velvet antler better improved fibroid-related symptoms than the control treatment.

“[Traditional Chinese medicine] prescriptions containing [Ejiao or Velvet antler] seemed superior to the control group in shrinking the volume of uterine fibroids and uterus, improving related symptoms, and reducing non-menopausal women’s [estradiol] and [progesterone] levels, with lower incidence of [adverse events],” the researchers concluded.

—Amanda Balbi

Reference

Li Q, Zhang L, Qian X, et al. Efficacy of Chinese herbal prescriptions containing Ejiao or Velvet antler for management of uterine fibroids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann Palliat Med. 2021;10(8):8772-8786. https://doi.org/10.21037/apm-21-1755